Chelsea have reportedly received a boost in their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens, whom the German giants have reduced their asking price for.
The Blues are said to have entered discussions with the 2023-24 Champions League runners-up over a summer swoop for the 20-year-old, who has risen to prominence this season thanks to a breakout campaign in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Gittens has 13 goals and five assists under his belt from 32 appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign, netting seven times in the Bundesliga and four times in the Champions League.
One of the Englishman's European goals came in their dramatic 5-2 UCL league phase loss to holders Real Madrid in October, but his 11 Bundesliga goal contributions have not proven totally fruitful.
A highly underwhelming season by BVB's standards has left Niko Kovac's side in a dismal 11th place in the Bundesliga table, seven points adrift of the Champions League spots and four below Freiburg in sixth.
Chelsea quoted £66.7m for Gittens?
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Dortmund were originally believed to have been holding out for a €100m (£83.4m) package to sell the 2004-born winger, whose contract does not expire for another three-and-a-half seasons.
However, according to Sport Bild, the club's dire situation in the Bundesliga could trigger a desperate sale to raise funds, and Gittens is one of their most prized assets who could be on the chopping block.
While Dortmund are still optimistic of garnering a fee of £83.4m, the report adds that offers of €80m (£66.7m) will also be taken into consideration should they miss out on European football.
BVB are apparently confident that they will receive 'lucrative' offers for Gittens in the summer transfer window, where Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich are expected to compete with Chelsea for his services.
The England Under-21 international represented Reading and Manchester City at youth level before joining Dortmund in 2020, since when he has contributed 16 goals and 14 assists in 90 games for the Bundesliga giants.
Could Chelsea receive triple boost thanks to Dortmund stance?
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Gittens is said to be one of three Dortmund players that Chelsea have been running the rule over in recent weeks, a list that also includes first-choice goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, eyed as a potential replacement for the error-strewn Robert Sanchez.
The same report adds that Dortmund are desperate to keep hold of the Switzerland international, but they might have to consider offers of around £41.7m for him if desperate measures are called for.
In addition, the Blues have been credited with an interest in Gittens's fellow attacker Karim Adeyemi, who recently changed agents in an indication that he is eyeing a move elsewhere at some point in the near future.
Bild adds that a £41.7m bid could also be enough to prise the Germany international away from the Signal Iduna Park, although Dortmund are hopeful of banking £50m if he can raise his level between now and the end of the season.
Napoli tried and failed to sign Adeyemi during the January transfer window, but there is a growing feeling that he will be on the move again at the end of the season.
Ben Knapton
